Background Lead is a typical persistent environmental pollutant that can accumulate in bones for decades. During pregnancy, alterations in calcium metabolism promote the mobilization of bone lead, resulting in secondary exposure; however, the mechanisms by which pregnancy-associated bone lead mobilization affects maternal renal function remain unclear. Objective To investigate the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in pregnancy-related bone lead mobilization-induced renal injury. Methods Newly weaned female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control or a lead-exposed group administered either 0.05% sodium acetate or 0.05% lead acetate in drinking water. Following a 4-week lead exposure and a 4-week washout period, the females were co-housed with healthy age-matched males for mating. Rats were sacrificed at early (gestational day 3) and late (gestational day 17) pregnancystages, respectively. Renal histopathology was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining staining. Mitochondria-related indicators, including oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and energy metabolism, were measured. Differential metabolites were identified using serum metabolomics. Results Renal injury in the lead-exposed pregnant rats progressed in a time-dependent manner, characterized by degeneration of proximal tubular epithelial cells, glomerular hyaline changes, and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant interaction between the treatment factor (lead exposure) and the temporal factor (gestational stage) on renal injury (P<0.001). Further analysis of mitochondrial function-related indicators in late-pregnancy renal tissue revealed that the lead exposure group exhibited significantly increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (P<0.05), accompanied by a reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities (P<0.05); regarding inflammatory markers, levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were elevated (P<0.01), whereas interleukin-33 (IL-33) was decreased in the lead-exposed group (P<0.05); energy metabolism-related indicators, including adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase activities, and mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, III, and V activities, were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in the lead-exposed gorup. The typical differential metabolite N-methylisoleucine, identified through serum metabolomics analysis, was negatively correlated with blood lead levels, kidney injury scores, and IL-1β, while positively correlated with catalase (CAT) activity and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase. Conclusions Mitochondrial dysfunction may play a critical role in renal injury induced by bone lead mobilization during late gestation.

Objective This study aims to establish a non-puerperal mastitis (NPM) rat model by simulating hyperprolactinemia and immune-inflammatory states, and to evaluate its local inflammatory characteristics in the mammary gland, thereby laying the foundation for research on the diagnosis and treatment of this clinically challenging disease. Methods Twelve SPF-grade Wistar female rats were evenly divided into a control group and a model group. During the experiment, the control group received no experimental treatment or medication. The model group received daily subcutaneous injections of 100 mg/kg metoclopramide hydrochloride for 7 consecutive days. Serum prolactin (PRL) levels were measured using ELISA on the 10th, 20th, and 30th days after the first injection. After 7 days of injections, 200 μL of lactating SD rat milk was mixed with 200 μL of complete Freund's adjuvant to prepare an oil-in-water emulsion, which was administered by multiple subcutaneous injections into the back of the Wistar rats for the initial immunization. Seven days after the initial immunization, the emulsion was injected subcutaneously into the third, fourth, and fifth mammary glands for the final immunization. After the final immunization, the rats were observed for 28 days for changes in mammary gland appearance, and the size of mammary nodules was calculated. On the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 28th days, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to analyze mammary tissue morphology. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect CD138 expression levels. ELISA was used to measure the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in mammary tissue to comprehensively assess the model. Results Rats in the model group exhibited mammary skin ulceration and foul odor at the ulcer sites. Palpation and ultrasound revealed the formation of mammary nodules. HE staining showed that on the 3rd day after the final immunization, normal ductal and lobular structures in the mammary glands disappeared, with significant infiltration of plasma cells. On the 7th day, ductal dilation, epithelial necrosis and detachment, and pronounced periductal plasma cell and lymphocyte (predominantly T-lymphocytes) infiltration were observed. On the 14th day, there was a proliferation of fibrofatty tissue, small blood vessels, and granulation tissue, with scattered plasma cells in the interstitium. By the 28th day, inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous tissue proliferation were reduced, with granuloma formation. Serum PRL levels in the model group were significantly increased on the 10th day (P<0.05) and the 20th day (P<0.001). IL-6 and TNF-α levels in mammary tissue were higher in the model group compared to the control group on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 28th days (P<0.05). IL-1β levels were higher on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th days compared with the control group (P<0.01) but lower than the control group on the 28th day (P>0.05). iNOS levels were significantly higher on the 7th day after the final immunization (P<0.001). Conclusion A successful NPM model was established in rats, which exhibited typical pathological features such as local mammary masses, abscesses, ulcers, ductal dilation and plasma cell infiltration. This model can serve as a foundation for further research into the diagnosis and treatment of this clinically challenging disease.

Objective To investigate the dynamic expression with the time change of N6-methyladenosine(m6A)methylation-related factors in the repair process of skeletal muscle injury and its mechanism in the inflammatory response of macrophage in the injure process.Methods In vivo mice models of BaCl2 injury in the gastrocnemius were established.Four mice per group in the control group and injury group.Gastrocnemius tissues were harvested at day 1,3,5,7,and 9 after injury for experiments.Primary gastrocnemius muscle tissue cells,muscle satellite cells,muscle cells,and cell line C2C12 cells were treated with dexamethasone(DEX,50 μmol/L)to mimic injury.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS,100 μg/L)induced RAW264.7 cell lines to mimic the inflammatory response after skeletal muscle injury,and STM2457(30 μmol/L)was added to inhibit the effect of methyltransferase 3(Mettl3)before LPS treatment.The expression of m6A methylation-related factors(Writers,Erasers,Readers)and inflammation factors were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blotting.Results The muscle fibers were dissolved and then gradually repaired with the extension of injury time,the number of monocytes/macrophages increased first and then decreased,and the Pax7 mRNA level increased first and then decreased with the change of injury time.Compared with the control group,the mRNA and protein levels of m6A methylation-related factors in gastrocnemius did not change significantly on the injury-1 day.However,they were significantly increased on the injury-3 days compared with the control group(P＜0.05),and then obviously decreased on the injury-5 days group compared with the injury-3 days group(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,they were no significant differences on the injury-7 days group and-9 days group.In vitro DEX decreased the mRNA levels of m6A methyltransferase factors in primary muscle satellite cells and C2C12 cells and increased the mRNA expression level of methylation-recognition enzyme factors(P＜0.05).The mRNA levels of m6A methylation-related factors increased significantly in skeletal muscle tissue cells and myocytes after DEX treatment(P＜0.05).After LPS treatment,the mRNA and protein expression levels of m6A methylation-related factors and the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-1β in macrophages increased significantly(P＜0.05),while the levels of IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA in macrophages decreased significantly when the Mettl3 was inhibited(P＜0.05).Conclusion m6A methylation-related factors primarily is activated in the damaged muscle cells and inflammation response of macrophages.Inhibition of m6A methyltransferase can reduce the inflammatory response of macrophages.

Objective:To explore the genetic basis of eighteen patients with tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency (BH4D) from Gansu Province.Methods:Eighteen patients diagnosed with BH4D at Gansu Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021 were selected as the study subjects. Whole exome sequencing was carried out, and candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing.Results:All of the thirty-six alleles of the eighteen patients were successfully determined by molecular genetic testing. Sixteen patients were found to harbor variants of the PTS gene, and two had harbored variants of the QDPR gene. Ten variants were detected in the PTS gene, with the most common ones being c. 259C>T (34.38%) and c. 286G>A (15.63%). Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the c. 259C>T was classified as a pathogenic variant, whilst the c. 286G>A, c. 166G>A, c. 200C>T, c. 272A>G, c. 402A>C, c. 421G>T, c. 84-291A>G and c. 317C>T were classified as likely pathogenic variants. A novel c. 289_290insCTT variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PM1+ PM2_Supporting+ PM3+ PP3+ PP4). The two variants (c.478C>T and c. 665C>T) detected in the QDPR gene were both classified as variants of uncertain significance (PM1+ PM2_Supporting+ PP3+ PP4). Conclusion:Genetic testing has clarified the pathogenic variants in these BH4D patients, which has enabled timely and accurate clinical intervention and treatment, and provided a reference for genetic counseling and reproductive guidance for their families.

Abstract: Objective　To investigate a poisoning incident caused by eating eight treasure congee, and establish liquid chromatography (LC)-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS screening method of 28 alkaloids to provide references for disposal of similar poisoning incidents. Methods　LC-MS/MS was used for screening 28 alkaloids in the urine, eight treasure congee and food raw material, and the detected alkaloids were quantified. Samples were extracted with 0.4% formic acid aqueous solution and separated by a Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (1.7 μm, 100 × 2.1 mm). Acetonitrile-0.2% formic acid aqueous solution was used as the mobile phase and gradient elution was adopted. The ionization mode was electrospray positive ionization mode, and the detection method was multi-reaction monitoring (MRM). Analytes were quantified with the external standard method. Results　In the concentration range of 0-100 ng/mL, the linear correlation coefficient r were greater than 0.999 for 28 alkaloids. The recovery of 28 alkaloids in urine sample ranged from 63.0% to 105.0%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were between 5.8% and 8.6%. The recovery of 28 alkaloids in eight treasure congee sample ranged from 72.0% to 109.0%, and the RSDs were between 6.3% and 9.7%. The recovery of 28 alkaloids in semen sesami nigrum sample ranged from 60.0% to 95.0%, and the RSDs were between 4.8% and 8.2%. Hyoscyamine (2 380.0 ng/mL), scopliamine (3.6 ng/mL) and rac-anisodamine (4.7 ng/mL) were detected in the patient's urine. Hyoscyamine (63.3 μg/g), scopliamine (5.7 μg/g) and rac-anisodamine (2.1 μg/g) were detected in eight treasure congee. Hyoscyamine (901.0 μg/g), scopliamine (80.0 μg/g) and rac-anisodamine (30.1 μg/g) were detected in the seed of Datura stramonium L. The ratio of scopliamine and hyoscyamine in the seed of D. stramonium was 1∶11, which complies with the characteristics of D. stramonium L. In urine sample, the proportion of scopliamine and rac-anisodamine was 0.15% and 0.20%, and hyoscyamine accounted for 99.65%. Conclusion　Seed morphology, the content range and proportion of three alkaloids are all in accord with the characteristics of D. stramonium. Combined with the clinical symptoms of atropine poisoning, it can be deduced that this incident is a family food poisoning caused by accidental consumption of seed of D. stramonium L. The method can provide technical support for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of alkaloid poisoning patients, and also provide a basis for emergency detection and disposal of alkaloid poisoning events.

Objective:To compare the differences of reference intervals (RI) established by two types of indirect methods for 34 biochemical analytes, and to explore the possible factors that affect the consistency of the two methods.Methods:This was a retrospective study. Based on data of albumin (Alb), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), apolipoprotein A1(ApoA1), ApolipoproteinB (ApoB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), calcium (Ca), cholinesterase (ChE), chloride (Cl), creatinine (Cr), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), Cystatin (CysC), direct bilirubin (DBil), free fatty acid (FFA), glycated albumin(GA), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), glucose (Glu), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), potassium (K), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), lipoprotein a [Lp (a)], sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), prealbumin (PA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total bile acid (TBA), total bilirubin (TBil), total cholesterol (TC), total carbon dioxide (TCO 2), triglyceride (TG), total protein (TP), uric acid (UA) and urea (UR) of individuals who underwent physical examination at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019, Box-Cox algorithm was used to improve the data distribution and Tukey method was used to identify outliers. Variance component model was established, and standard deviation ratio (SDR) was calculated to determine whether the RIs of 34 biochemical analytes should be established according to age or sex The non-parametric method and kosmic algorithm were used to establish the RIs and 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of 34 biochemical analytes, and the coincidence of the 90% CIs of the reference limits for two methods was compared. Results:The skewness coefficients of ALP(male, female18-59), ALT, AST, hsCRP, DBil, GGT, Lp (a), TBA, TBil, TG, Glu, HDL-C(male) and CysC, GA, UR in the elderly group deviated from 0, and their kurtosis coefficients also deviated from 3. For these biochemical analytes, the point estimates of the RIs established by the two methods differed greatly and the 90% CIs did not overlap. The analytes with good normality were Alb, ApoA1, ApoB, Ca, ChE, Cl, Cr(E), CysC(18-59), FFA, GA(18-59), HDL-C(female), K, LDL-C, Na, P, PA, SOD, TC, TCO 2, TP and UR. The consistency is good. Except for Ca, 90% CIs of reference limits for some analyte between the two methods coincide with each other. Conclusions:The consistency of different indirect methods is affected by the normality of data.

Objective:To analyze the accuracy of lung ultrasound and chest X-ray in the diagnosis of neonatal pulmonary disease.Methods:We prospectively collected newborns that needed chest X-ray examination to diagnose pulmonary disease from twelve neonatal intensive care units across the country between June 2019 and April 2020.Each newborn was examined by lung ultrasound within two hours after chest X-ray examination.All chest X-ray and lung ultrasound images were independently read by a radiologist and a sonographer.When there was a disagreement, a panel of two experienced physicians made a final diagnosis based on the clinical history, chest X-ray and lung ultrasound images.Results:A total of 1 100 newborns were enrolled in our study.The diagnostic agreement between chest X-ray and lung ultrasound(Cohen′s kappa coefficient=0.347) was fair.Lung ultrasound(area under the curve=0.778; 95% CI 0.753-0.803) performed significantly better than chest X-ray(area under the curve=0.513; 95% CI 0.483-0.543) in the diagnosis of transient tachypnea of the newborn( P<0.001). The accuracy of lung ultrasound in diagnosing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, meconium aspiration syndrome, pneumonia and neonatal pulmonary atelectasis was similar to that of chest X-ray. Conclusion:Lung ultrasound, as a low-cost, simple and radiation-free auxiliary examination method, has a diagnostic accuracy close to or even better than that of chest X-ray, which may replace chest X-ray in the diagnosis of some neonatal lung diseases.It should be noted that both chest X-ray and lung ultrasound can only be used as auxiliary means for the diagnosis of lung diseases, and it is necessary to combine imaging with the clinical history and presentation.

Objective: To investigate the demographic characteristics and clinical influencing factors which associates with the occurrence probability of persistent or intermittent hypoviremia (LLV) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs). Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis was performed on patients with CHB who received outpatient NAs therapy for≥48 ± 2 weeks. According to the serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA load at 48±2 weeks treatment, the study groups were divided into LLV (HBV DNA < 20 IU/ml and < 2 000 IU/ml) and MVR group (sustained virological response, HBV DNA < 20 IU/ml). Demographic characteristics and clinical data at the start of NAs treatment (considered as baseline) were retrospectively collected for both patient groups. The differences in the reduction of HBV DNA load during treatment was compared between the two groups. Correlation and multivariate analysis were further conducted to analyze the associated factors influencing the LLV occurrence. Statistical analysis was performed using the independent samples t-test, c2 test, Spearman analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis, or area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: A total of 509 cases were enrolled, with 189 and 320 in the LLV and MVR groups, respectively. Compared to patients with MVR group at baseline: (1) the demographics characteristics of patients showed that LLV group was younger in age (39.1 years, P = 0.027), had a stronger family history (60.3%, P = 0.001), 61.9% received ETV treatment, and higher proportion of compensated cirrhosis (20.6%, P = 0.025) at baseline; (2) the serum virological characteristics of patients showed that LLV group had higher HBV DNA load, qHBsAg level, qHBeAg level, HBeAg positive rate, and the proportion of genotype C HBV infection but decreased HBV DNA during treatment (P < 0.001) at baseline; (3) the biochemical characteristics of patients showed that LLV group had lower serum ALT levels (P = 0.007) at baseline; (4) the noninvasive fibrosis markers of patients showed that LLV group were characterized by high aspartate aminotransferase platelet ratio index (APRI) (P = 0.02) and FIB-4 (P = 0.027) at baseline. HBV DNA, qHBsAg and qHBeAg were positively correlated with LLV occurrence (r = 0.559, 0.344, 0.435, respectively), while age and HBV DNA reduction were negatively correlated (r = -0.098, -0.876, respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that ETV treatment history, high HBV DNA load at baseline, high qHBsAg level, high qHBeAg level, HBeAg positive, low ALT and HBV DNA level were independent risk factors for patients with CHB who developed LLV with NAs treatment. Multivariate prediction model had a good predictive value for LLV occurrence [AUC 0.922 (95%CI: 0.897 ~ 0.946)]. Conclusion: In this study, 37.1% of CHB patients treated with first-line NAs has LLV. The formation of LLV is influenced by various factors. HBeAg positivity, genotype C HBV infection, high baseline HBV DNA load, high qHBsAg level, high qHBeAg level, high APRI or FIB-4 value, low baseline ALT level, reduced HBV DNA during treatment, concomitant family history, metabolic liver disease history, and age < 40 years old are potential risk factors for developing LLV in patients with CHB during the therapeutic process.
Humans ; Adult ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/complications* ; Retrospective Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; DNA, Viral ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics* ; Demography

OBJECTIVE: To develop monoclonal antibodies that can specifically recognize human von Willebrand factor (VWF) propeptide (VWFpp) in plasma, and establish a rapid and reliable method for the detection of VWFpp antigen in plasma by using the double-antibody sandwich ELISA with the obtained anti-VWFpp monoclonal antibody. METHODS: The recombinant human VWFpp (D1 and D2 regions) protein expressed in eukaryotic cells was used as immunogen to immunize BALB/c mice with routine method, so as to obtain clones of fusion cells. After screening and identification, hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies against VWFpp were selected, and then double-antibody sandwich ELISA assay was used to construct VWFpp antigen detection kit for the determination of VWFpp in human plasma. The levels of VWFpp antigen in plasma of 12 leukemia patients who underwent bone marrow transplantation were dynamically detected. RESULTS: Two hybridoma cell lines that can be subcultured continuously and secrete monoclonal antibodies against VWFpp were obtained and named SZ175 and SZ176 respectively. Identified by ELISA and Western blot, the antibodies could both specifically recognize VWFpp but couldn't recognize mature VWF (without propeptide). Based on the principle of double-antibody sandwich ELISA, monoclonal antibodies SZ175 and SZ176 were successfully made into a kit for detecting VWFpp antigen. The plasma VWFpp levels of leukemia patients before and after bone marrow transplantation were dynamically detected. The results showed that the plasma VWFpp levels of the patients after transplantation were significantly higher than those before transplantation. CONCLUSION Two monoclonal antibodies against VWFpp were successfully prepared, and a double-antibody sandwich ELISA detection kit for VWFpp antigen was constructed, which provides a powerful tool for further study on the biological function of VWFpp, the clinical diagnosis and classification of von Willebrand disease (VWD), and the prognostic monitoring of endothelial injury-related diseases.
Animals ; Mice ; Humans ; von Willebrand Factor ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Protein Precursors/metabolism* ; von Willebrand Diseases/diagnosis* ; Prognosis